Spring into life at An Creagán

An exciting range of arts workshops are commencing this spring at An Creagán Visitor Centre as part of the centres busy Arts Programme. The Arts Programme, funded by National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lloyds TSB Foundations for Northern Ireland, offers workshops in Circus Skills, Salsa Dancing, Digital Photography and Creative Writing.

The arts programme continues to attract the best of local and international talent and the spring term is no exception, with respected and highly sought after tutors joining the spring line up to deliver high quality arts workshops at An Creagán.

Stilt walking

Belfast’s Streetwise Community Circus will deliver a fun 3 day course in Stilt Walking and Circus Skills. These unique workshops will train participants to become stilt walkers, while having a go at the full range of circus skills! Participants will learn the basic balancing skill required to stilt walk using hand held stilts and, with one-on-one tuition, progress safely to become fully independent at using stilts on a range of surfaces, steps and slopes. Other circus skills to master at the workshops include diablo, juggling, hat tricks and plate spinning. This workshop is open to everyone and everyone will be starting at the same level. These are real circus skills that anyone can master! Participants can expect to become fully fledged stilt walkers by the end of the course, as well as having learnt a range of other circus skills to take away with them.

Professional dancer Zulma Georgina Rascón Marquez will introduce participants to the art of Salsa in her dance classes for beginners running for 8 weeks. Zulma won the ‘Belfast Week of Dance Award’ in 2006 and is a formally trained dancer with extensive experience in delivering dance workshops. Salsa Dancing is an exciting and fun dance form and this beginner’s course will teach participants to Salsa in a comfortable, relaxed and fun setting. This is your chance to master the basic steps and progress to learn styling and confidence in your dance with a professional dancer. It is not necessary to bring your own partner as the class will be learning as a group and will be encouraged to dance with each other; early booking is advised as places are limited to 12.

Belfast based photographer Liam Campbell will be facilitating a course in Digital Photography . Liam graduated with an MA in Art in the Contemporary World in 2007 from NCAD Dublin and has exhibited on a regular basis over the last number of years. The development of portfolio and project based photography will be key over Liam’s eight week course. Portraiture, still life and landscape photography will be developed and discussed with participants and will include extracts from writings on photography. The portfolio and project based photography will come together to form a public exhibition of the groups work as a closing highlight of the workshops

Liam Campbell 'Hinterlands'

Published author, scriptwriter and journalist John Bradbury, who’s work includes the non fiction book ‘Celebrated Citizens of Belfast’ (Appletree Press) and poetry anthology ‘A Pocketful of Poems’ (Northern Creative Print) completes the impressive spring line up. John has produced a play for the Belfast Fringe Festival, scripted a sketch show for Edinburgh Fringe and wrote scripts for Radio Ulster. John has also worked as both a Columnist and Journalist and recently co-scripted and produced a musical for BBC 3 Northern Ireland. All aspects of creative writing will be explored in this 6 session workshop including; hints and tips on getting started, fiction writing, screen writing for film and TV, script writing for stage and radio, as well as advice and tips on getting published!

All participants on our spring term will be offered the chance to showcase their work at the end of the term in a public exhibition to be held at An Creagan Visitor Centre. For further information on any of the upcoming arts workshops at An Creagán Arts Programme please contact the Arts Officer on 028 8076 1112.

TV artist Dermot Cavanagh joins the line-up at An Creagán Arts Programme

Talented TV Artist Dermot Cavanagh is due to return to An Creagán to deliver his hugely popular 8 week course in Watercolours.

Dermot Cavanagh is a name that is fast becoming synonymous with watercolours not only in this part of the world but across Europe. His BBC series ‘Awash with Colour’ has brought in huge viewerships and Dermot has become one of the most sought after tutors in Ireland.

For further information and bookings please phone 028 8076 1112. Book early as places are filling up fast!

Playing with Fire

Animation created by participants of the recent Animation Weekend at An Creagan Arts Programme. Workshop facilitated by animator Mike Bass.

Youth Animation Weekend

Upcoming workshops in Animation, Ceramics, Textiles, Breakdance and Papercraft

Another round of Arts workshops begins at An Creagán with the introduction of five new programmes.

The arts programme is funded by National Lottery Funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland and has once again lived up to its strong reputation with workshops in Claymation Animation, Textiles, Ceramics, Breakdance and Papercraft.

Canadian animator Mike Bass, who has previously taken animation workshops at the Art Gallery of Ontario, will take up residence at An Creagan to offer a weekend course in Claymation ‘Plastercine’ Animation. Mike is a classically trained animator with 20 years experience in animated television series’ such as; The Raccoons, Max & Ruby, Little Bear, Franklin and BraceFace. The course will run over two full days in which the group will try out the techniques and processes involved in animation, create characters using plastercine, make props and sets and work towards creating a short animated film. These workshops will allow an insight into the magical world of Claymation animation, and is a rare opportunity that is not to be missed!

The much-respected local artist, Deirdre Lagan-Eastwood makes a welcome return to An Creagán to hold a 6-week workshop on Ceramics. Deirdre, who was the overall winner of the coveted ‘Index Award for Best New Product’ at Dublin’s Showcase International Trade Fair, turned her ‘obsession with clay’ into a thriving business and her established range of ceramics is distributed throughout Ireland, USA and parts of the UK. Deirdre will hold a relaxed and enjoyable workshop for people of all abilities. Fellow respected artist, Louise O’Boyle, will hold an 8 week workshop in Textiles. This workshop will cover all aspects of textiles and a variety of techniques and skills will be explored. Participants can enjoy creating their own textile pieces in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Other courses available at the centre include Breakdancing by Skill2Style Cru Belfast. Skill2Style are a full breakdance crew and have been involved in the Belfast breakdance scene for 20 years. The course will run over eight weeks in a series of Saturday workshops for participants aged 15+ and will culminate in a public performance. Steven McFall (coach of the All-Ireland Breaking Champions 2006), David Moore and Matthew McFall have experience in various dance styles to show you. Learn moves such as upracks, applejacks, lofting, moonwalk, headspins and popping as well as more advanced moves. This course is workshop-based, pacing you according to your individual needs and no dance experience is required. These workshops are rarely available outside Belfast and places are limited to 10 participants so book early.

Also on the bill is a Cardmaking and Scrapbooking workshops. Participants will learn how to create their own unique arty greetings cards and scrapbooks (otherwise known as memory albums) for all occasions with practical hands on workshops running for 8 weeks.

Anyone interested in enrolling can contact the Arts Officer on 028 8076 1112 for more information. Our new arts brochure is now available for download here. (pdf, Filesize 396kb)

Forest

A short film created by participants of the ‘Filmmaking for Beginners’ workshop at the Mid Ulster Film Festival. Workshop facilitated by filmmaker Stephen Mullan.

Songwriting Public Performance

The Songwriting class performed a selection of self penned songs as well as songs they discussed on the course.

Juliet Turner in Concert

Back by request and popular demand. 20th June. Admission £15.

Ever evolving, ever watchful of the human condition, one of Ireland’s most intriguing female song writers, Juliet Turner, returns to the stage with a new batch of songs to accompany her classic material. The new material is thoughtful and less acerbic than some of her previous writing and the narrative lines running through the album are sympathetic and full of warmth. Her new album ‘People Have Names’ is released on 6th June.

Juliet’s Concert at An Creagán will provide a unique and intimate setting where her audience can experience what promises to be a truly inspirational performance.

To book tickets please contact: 028 8076 1112

www.julietturner.com

Wonderland

A video diary of our animation workshops that were facilitated by the Nerve Centre. Includes the short film ‘Wonderland’ created by participants of the workshops.

Three exciting courses launch the Summer Arts Programme.

Whether you are a musician interested in recording and performing on stage, a budding costume designer or have wanted the opportunity to write, produce and perform your own play, then the Arts Programme at An Creagán has the course for you! The arts programme, funded by National Lottery Funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, has upcoming workshops in Song Writing and Recording, Design and Fashion and Creative Writing and Drama .

The Arts Programme is a new approach to community art in this region and is totally inclusive of all people. The courses cater to the needs and abilities of all members of the community. Groups will be given the opportunity to work with both a facilitator to explore their feelings and an artist to help bring their ideas to fruition.

Cormac Fee, the lead singer and lyricist/song writer with Tyrone four piece ‘Pocket Promise, will lead a group through the process of Song Writing and Recording, covering everything from styles of music to emotion, timing and rhythm. His band ‘Pocket Promise’ are currently enjoying critical acclaim with their EP release and, after recording with highly respected ‘Frames’ producer David Odlum, will be releasing their debut album in 2009. They have toured throughout the UK and Ireland and site Gerry Anderson (BBC Radio Ulster) and Zane Lowe (BBC Radio 1) as fans. Cormac is a keen instrumentalist playing everything from piano and guitars to glockenspiels and synthesiers! The group will have the opportunity to write their own songs, perform on stage with other group members and record their songs to CD.

Clare Mc Carroll, recognised textile artist and Lecturer of Arts at South West College, will deliver a course in Design and Fashion. Working with handmade felt, rich velvets and transparent fabrics the group will work together on an agreed theme, design costumes and show their creations on the catwalk. With many prestigious public commissions to date, including a three story long textile wall piece, size and scale is no object and Clare’s course is sure to be as exciting as ever.

For those interested in Creative Writing and Drama, Rachael Lennon brings her wealth of experience to An Creagán. Her impressive body of work demonstrates both her acting and directing abilities. Rachael has sat on several Drama society committees including ‘DU Players’ and has recently co-founded the exciting new theatre company ‘No Smoke Without Fire Productions.’ Their debut performance witnesses her take on the one woman show ‘Shirley Valentine.’ Rachael’s classes are very popular and aim to equip each participant with performing skills and also ignite a strong interest in the arts. The group will produce a short play and based on their work express their views of common issues.

Places on the Arts Programme are limited so register now to be sure of a place.

To register, or for more information or a colour brochure please contact:

The Arts Officer
An Creagán Visitor Centre,
028 8076 1112 (Office hours only)
Email: info@an-creagan.com